Veterans’ Affairs Minister Craig Foss says Ahmet Cinar, Governor of Turkey’s Canakkale Province, will visit New Zealand next week.

Canakkale Province includes the Gallipoli Peninsula, where 2000 New Zealanders will attend commemorations next month marking 100 years since the Anzac landings.

“The Gallipoli centenary is a hugely significant event for Turkey, New Zealand, Australia and other countries involved in the 1915 conflict,” Mr Foss says.

Associate Transport Minister Craig Foss is welcoming a move by the rental vehicle industry to establish a Code of Best Practice to educate visiting drivers and improve safety for all road users. 

About 25 rental vehicle companies met in Auckland yesterday to discuss concerns about the safety of visiting drivers.  The group unanimously agreed to develop the Code as a matter of urgency.

“Any action or commitment to improve the safety of our roads is a step in the right direction,” Mr Foss says.

Associate Transport Minister Craig Foss is welcoming a discussion paper exploring regulatory options for managing drug and alcohol impairment in the aviation, maritime and rail sectors.

The paper, released today by the Ministry of Transport, is in response to the Transport Accident Investigation Commission’s calls for laws to stop commercial transport operators or recreational users if they are impaired by drugs or alcohol.

Associate Transport Minister Craig Foss today announced the Visiting Drivers Signature Project (VDSP) will be extended and planned safety improvements fast-tracked following recent crashes involving overseas visitors.

“The Government recognises that many people are concerned with poor driving behaviour on challenging roads in and around popular tourist destinations, particularly in the lower South Island,” Mr Foss says. 

“That is why we are extending the VDSP to include the West Coast — an area that attracts a large number of tourists.

The Government is backing the recommendations of the NZ Data Futures Forum to make better use of public data and uphold privacy standards, Finance Minister Bill English and Statistics Minister Craig Foss say.

The NZ Data Futures Forum — an independent expert advisory group from the public and private sectors — was established by the Government last year to help drive further use of open data.

Recommendations in the forum’s final report included:

Statistics Minister Craig Foss says the use of tablet computers is making data collection faster and more efficient.

This month, Statistics NZ began using iPad Minis to collect fruit and vegetable prices from shops in 12 regions around New Zealand.

The data is used in the Food Price Index, and the Consumer Price Index (CPI), which measures inflation.

Veterans’ Affairs Minister Craig Foss is urging anyone on the Gallipoli 2015 ballot waitlist to check their inbox for an update from the ballot office.

More than 6000 people on the wait list have been contacted via email with an update on the ballot process.  

“We’re keen to ensure as many New Zealanders as possible are given the opportunity to attend the commemorations,” Mr Foss says.

Small Business Minister Craig Foss is encouraging small business owners to make submissions to the Rules Reduction Taskforce.

“Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) interact with government agencies about 9 million times every year, giving them valuable insight into the efficacy of many of our rules and regulations,” Mr Foss says. 

“While the Taskforce is primarily focused on property regulations administered by local authorities, unnecessary or pedantic rules administered by central government will also be considered.

Veterans’ Affairs Minister Craig Foss will visit Turkey this week to meet key officials and review plans for this year’s Anzac Day commemorations.

The 2015 service will mark 100 years since Anzac troops landed on the Gallipoli peninsula.

“New Zealand and Turkey share a strong relationship built on our shared history at Gallipoli,” Mr Foss says.

“I look forward to touring the peninsula and getting an update on what will be a large and historically significant event.

A fourth round of passes to Anzac Day commemorations in Turkey were this week offered to those on the Gallipoli 2015 ballot wait list, Veterans’ Affairs Minister Craig Foss says.

The 131 successful applicants have until midday on 2 February to accept the offer of two attendance passes and confirm travel arrangements for themselves and their accompanying person. 

“I encourage anyone not in a position to travel to Turkey to decline their passes as soon as possible so they can be reallocated to the next person on the wait list,” Mr Foss says.

Associate Transport Minister Craig Foss says he has asked officials to conduct a review of the regulatory framework for small passenger services, such as taxis and private hire car services.

“The Government is a strong supporter of innovations that enable all New Zealanders and businesses in New Zealand, traditional or otherwise, to enjoy the benefits of new technology,” Mr Foss says.

“We aim to ensure New Zealand’s regulatory environment is both fit for purpose and flexible enough to accommodate new technologies.

Veterans’ Affairs Minister Craig Foss says those offered passes in the third tranche of the Gallipoli 2015 ballot have just three days left to accept their place at this year’s Anzac Day commemorations.

The 194 successful applicants have until 11:59pm on 15 January to accept the offer of two attendance passes and confirm travel arrangements for themselves and their accompanying person. 

“It’s likely a small number of passes will become available to the wait list after the January 15 deadline,” Mr Foss says.

Associate Transport Minister Craig Foss is encouraging anyone travelling on the roads this summer to make safety a priority.

The provisional holiday road toll for 2014/15 is 17.

“Any death or serious injury on our roads is one too many. My profound sympathies go out to the family and friends of those killed or injured this holiday season,” Mr Foss says.

“Provisional data suggests alcohol, speed or both contributed to 12 of the holiday period fatalities.

The provisional road toll for 2014 is 297, Associate Transport Minister Craig Foss says.

“Each number in the road toll represents a lost life — someone who will forever be missed by their family, friends and community.  That’s the real impact of crashes on our roads,” Mr Foss says.

“Let's also not forget that for every fatality, there are dozens more people hurt — many of them seriously, leaving them and their families to cope with life-long and debilitating injuries.”

Help your friends and family stay safe on the roads this festive season with the top five gifts for drivers, Associate Transport Minister Craig Foss says.

“These ‘gifts’ are simple yet potentially life-saving tips for anyone getting behind the wheel this summer,” Mr Foss says.

“The Kiwi road trip, a great holiday tradition, often involves travelling long distances on unfamiliar roads.  We can help ensure our loved ones are around for many more holidays to come by reminding them how to keep themselves and others safe.”

Helping your friends and family stay safe on the water this holiday season is the gift that lasts a lifetime, Associate Transport Minister Craig Foss says.

“Taking the boat out for a spot of fishing or a bit of fun is a classic Kiwi summer pastime,” Mr Foss says. 

“But we need to ensure our loved ones come home safe and sound from the beach, lake or river.

“Please, tell the boaties in your life you want them around for many more holidays to come, so they need to:

Associate Transport Minister Craig Foss has welcomed the Cycling Safety Panel’s final report, which has 35 recommendations for central and local government.

“Over the last decade, an average of nine people a year have died while cycling on our roads,” says Mr Foss. “The Cycling Safety Panel was formed earlier this year in response to a coroner’s call for an expert panel to make recommendations on improving cycling safety.

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is currently updating Civil Aviation Rules to better manage the safety risks of the use of remotely piloted aircraft (or drones), says Associate Transport Minister Craig Foss.

“New Zealanders are increasingly using remotely piloted aircraft, so it is important we have good regulation to manage the safety risks those aircraft can bring. The Government is committed to having regulation flexible enough to accommodate the growing use of the technology,” says Mr Foss.

New Zealand will ratify the Maritime Labour Convention to ensure fair treatment of seafarers and protect the reputation of New Zealand exports, Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Michael Woodhouse and Associate Transport Minister Craig Foss announced today.

The Maritime Labour Convention 2006 is an international treaty adopted by the International Labour Organisation.  It sets minimum standards for the health, safety and welfare of seafarers on commercial vessels.

Veterans’ Affairs Minister Craig Foss says support for New Zealand veterans is about to change for the better.

“Now, perhaps more than ever, the contribution our service people have made and continue to make to protect our way of life is being considered, recognised and honoured,” Mr Foss says.

The Veterans’ Support Act, which comes into force on December 7, gives Veterans’ Affairs the ability to introduce new types of entitlements and support for veterans and their families.

Associate Transport Minister Craig Foss today announced a review of parts of New Zealand’s driver licensing system.

“A lot has changed since the current driver licensing system was introduced in 1999.  The review will look at modernising the system by making it more customer-focused and reducing compliance costs,” Mr Foss says.

“It will consider whether the heavy vehicle driver licensing process could be simplified by reducing the number of heavy vehicle classes and related endorsements.”

Associate Transport Minister Craig Foss says changes to the Graduated Driver Licensing System (GDLS) coming into force today will encourage drivers and motorcyclists to sit their full licence.

Changes to the Land Transport (Driver Licensing) Rule require drivers or riders sitting their learner or restricted licences to progress to the next stage of the GDLS within five years. Anyone who fails to do so will need to pass another theory test to renew their licence.

Associate Transport Minister Craig Foss says the lower alcohol limit for adult drivers will help make our roads safer and save lives.

The limit for motorists aged 20 years and over today lowers from 400mcg to 250mcg of alcohol per litre of breath. The blood alcohol limit lowers from 80mg to 50mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood.

“The lower limit will save lives and prevent about 64 injuries per year, with a reduction in social costs of about $200 million over 10 years,” Mr Foss says.

Police Minister Michael Woodhouse and Associate Transport Minister Craig Foss today launched the ‘Reach the beach safely this summer’ campaign, an initiative led by New Zealand Police.

Last year’s Safer Summer campaign had a great impact with a significant decline in the proportion of people speeding on our roads and a reduction in deaths and serious injuries.

“Summer is a busy time on the road and we want to build on last year’s efforts by again enforcing speed limits and lower alcohol limits,” Mr Woodhouse says.